Gulfport Man Charged With Sexual Battery Of Children Under 12

GULFPORT, FL - A Gulfport man has been arrested for committing sexual battery on multiple children under the age of 12 and for producing child pornography, police said. Police identified the man as Joseph Blaze Forgetta, 57, who was arrested at 9:35 p.m. Saturday.

Police say the investigation began about noon on Saturday after receiving a call. A girl under the age of 12 told her mother that Forgetta had committed a sex act with her the previous evening, police said. The victim and two other children were staying overnight at the home of a family member who is involved in a relationship with Forgetta.

Police say the investigation revealed at least one other victim, also under the age of 12, who Forgetta had committed sex acts with on two previous occasions during the past year, including taking photos and video during the incidents.

Forgetta has been charged with the following offenses (additional charges may be pending): two counts of sexual battery of a child under the age of 12; one count of lewd and lascivious molestation of a child under the age of 12; two counts of production of child pornography, police said.

Police have reason to believe there may be additional victims, particularly among those who may live near Forgetta in the area of 52nd Street and 29th Avenue South, according to police.

Image via Shutterstock; mugshot via Gulfport Police